Shooter

Video and photo documentation of "LAN-Events"

Abstract

The two-part work "Shooter" by the artist duo Geissler and Sann consists of a video and photo documentation of LAN parties organised by the artists in their studio over a period of a year and a half. Both the video sequences and the photo documentations show the players front-on against a neutral background from a constant camera angle.The video, on show at the exhibition, observes the players during a fight scene, i.e. while they are killing or getting killed in the virtual world of the network while sitting in the same room as their adversaries. The video shows moments of intense concentration of a temporary tension characterised by inner drama. According to the artists, "The viewer … witnesses a life-and-death game with no consequences"."Shooter" presents a test set-up with which to analyse the human relation to real and virtual spaces and the associated gestures and facial expressions. At the same time, the artists question the function of the real body and the game of identities with reference to New Technologies. The specially installed web site features a documentation and a guest book in which the portrayed players can leave their comments.(Silke Albrecht)